Today on the show we’re trying something a little different and digging into an artist-entrepreneurs business model. I’m learning from Emma Gibbons, a Devon-based mixed-media pop artist who’s become known for her colorful, contemporary artworks using resin, glitter, crystals, and precious materials. 

Emma’s experience in the art industry has seen her working on some of the most high-profile exhibitions in the world including seven years working for Damien Hirst. Before becoming a full-time artist she actually worked on the installation and exhibition for Damien Hirst’s infamous ‘For The Love of God’ diamond-encrusted skull at its UK unveiling at White Cube Gallery in London.

In this episode, we cover the blueprint of how she grew her business through galleries, what she learned working with Damien and how Margot Robbie became one of her A-list celebrity clients after a situation involving her personal trainer and a swift swoop-in.

Emma is the first-ever artist I've spoken to on the show, and it was so interesting to get to know more about the intersection of art and business. Especially, to see how much the two overlap. As Emma says, you almost have to go to your creative work with your business hat on. At this stage, there's not even so much creativity, it's business. It's like having two full-time jobs at once. And just as we often mention in business, how important it is to have a unique point of difference for your product. It's got to be unique. That's a no-brainer. It can't be run-of-the-mill, as there will be no chance you'll stand out against the countless other works out there battling for people's attention. The more unique you are, the more you can communicate your story, and the easier it is for people to hook onto that.

Whilst it's easy to see the business aspect of working in the entrepreneurial art space, it's also cool to learn how creativity seeps back into the business side of things. For all entrepreneurs. For example, how there's no specific blueprint or magic solution to success. There are lots and lots of different ways to go about building and scaling your business, and what works for one person may not necessarily work for someone else. It's important to take in lots and lots of different views on how to do things because there is no set way. You can then cherry-pick what works for you. The key here is to maintain focused on the things that you can do. The things that are possible. In Emma's case, what you can do with some paints and some ambition. The magic that you can create with some real hunger and some talent.

If you learn something from this episode please do screenshot and share on Instagram stories tagging us @femalestartupclub.

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